Suibhne
Encyclopedia
Suibhne was a late 12th century, and early 13th century, lord in Argyll
. He does not appear in contemporary records, although his name appears in the patronymic names of two of his sons. Suibhne appears in the 16th century Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne
, which documents the early history of Clann Suibhne
. This account claims that he is the ancestor of Irish clan, and that he was the builder of Castle Sween
in Knapdale
, Argyll
. Suibhne is said to be identical to the Swineruo, or Suibhne Ruadh ('Suibhne the Red'), recorded in the Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells, a 17th century Clan Campbell
genealogy.
Sveinn, meaning "boy", "servant".
is a traditional account of Clan Sweeney
. It was written in Ireland
, starting in about 1513. The Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne states that Suibhne was the son of Donnsléibhe, son of Aodh Aluinn, son of Anradhán. The account claims that Anradhan was the younger son of Aodh Athlamhan. When his brother succeeded their father, the two brothers quarrelled with each other, and Anradhán sailed to Scotland. There he conquered half of the country before making peace with the King of Scots, by marrying his daughter. Suibhne is credited within the account to have built Castle Sween
. His son is named as Maolmhuire an Sparáin ('Maolmhuire of the Purse').
Sellar noted that Suibhne's supposed ancestor in the Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne, Aodh Athlamhan, appears in contemporary (and independent) records, such as the Annals of Ulster
. Aodh Athlamhan was King of Aileach, and succeeded his father Flaithbhertach. The Annals of Ulster record that Aodh Athlamhan's died in the year 1033. However, Suibhne's supposed ancestors Anrothan, Aodh Alainn and Donnsleibhe, do not appear in any contemporary sources. Sellar noted that Anradhán's supposed elder brother, Domhnall an tOgdhamh ('Domhnall the Young Ox'), is an ancestor of the O'Neill
s. According to W.D.H. Sellar, there is no reason to doubt the Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne' s claim that Suibhne was the eponymous ancestor of the Sweeneys, or the builder of Castle Sween. Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk
proposed that Anradhán married a daughter of either a King of Argyll, or a sub-King of Cowal, rather than a King of Scots.
known as Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells. This account is thought to be based on an account by the 17th century Clan Campbell historian Neil MacEwan. In the late 18th century, a similar version of this account was compiled, which brought the history down to its present date; this account is known as Manuscript B.
The Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells states that the Campbell ancestor "Coline Campbell, bynamed Maol Maith" had a legitimate son, and two natural sons. One of the natural sons, Iver, was borne by the daughter of Swineruo. The account describes Swineruo as the owner of Castle Sween, and as Thane of Knapdale and Glassary. The account states that, Iver was the ancestor of the MacIver Campbells
, who were numerous in Glassary and Craignish. Manuscript B of Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells states that, according to tradition, Swineruo took his daughter from Campbell, and married her to MacLachlan (the chief of Clan MacLachlan
), and give him a portion of his lands in Glassary.
According to Niall Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll
, who wrote in the early 20th century, the manuscript shows that the MacEwens of Otter were 'MacSweens'—male-line descendants of Suibhne. Argyll considered that the name Skene took for Sabarain, who is listed as a son of Duinsleibe, was actually "Suibhneach", or Suibhne, son of Donnsleibhe. Argyll considered the manuscript showed that the chiefs of the MacEwens (who he thought, should have been known as MacSweens) were as follows (from Walter up to Suibhne): Baltuir, Eoin, Eoghan, Giollaesbuig, Iain, Dugal, Suibhne. In the late 20th century, Sellar noted that the pedigree shows that the MacEwens did not descend from Suibhne, and that they took their surname from chief Eoghan, son of Gillespie. Sellar stated that it seemed that Gillespie was a great-grandson of "Saibaran" (Skene's Sabarain), who was another one of Donnsleibhe's sons. Sellar noted that, according to Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne, Donnsleibhe had twelve sons.
, in Kintyre
. Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne married the granddaughter of a King of Connacht, High King of Ireland
: the Annals of the Four Masters
record that Beanmhidhe, daughter of Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, and wife of Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne, died in 1269. Beanmhidhe's grandfather, and Toirdelbach's father, was Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
, King of Connacht, High King of Ireland (d. 1198). The descendants of Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne founded the various branches of the Irish Clann Suibhne.
. In 1310, it was in the possession of Sir John Menteith
, when the English king Edward II
granted the ancestral MacSween lands to John MacSween and his brothers. The castle was finally destroyed in the mid 17th century.
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
. He does not appear in contemporary records, although his name appears in the patronymic names of two of his sons. Suibhne appears in the 16th century Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne
Leabhar Clainne Suibhne
Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne is the title of a 16th century Donegal manuscript written in Irish. While there is a substantial amount of religious material, it is principally interesting for containing a historical tract concerning the Clan Suibhne. It is now held in the library of the Royal Irish...
, which documents the early history of Clann Suibhne
Clan Sweeney
Clan Sweeney is an Irish clan of Scottish origin. The clan did not permanently settle in Ireland before the beginning of the 14th century, when they became Gallowglass soldiers for the O'Donnell dynasty of Tyrconnell...
. This account claims that he is the ancestor of Irish clan, and that he was the builder of Castle Sween
Castle Sween
Castle Sween is located on the eastern shore of Loch Sween, in Knapdale, on the west coast of Argyll, Scotland. Castle Sween is thought to be one of the earliest stone castles built in Scotland, having been built sometime in the late twelfth century...
in Knapdale
Knapdale
Knapdale forms a rural district of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the south, and divided from the rest of Argyll to the north by the Crinan Canal. It includes two parishes, North Knapdale and South Knapdale....
, Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
. Suibhne is said to be identical to the Swineruo, or Suibhne Ruadh ('Suibhne the Red'), recorded in the Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells, a 17th century Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
genealogy.
Background
Suibhne is thought to have flourished in the late 12th century, and early 13th century. He does not appear in any contemporary records, but the records of patronymic names of his sons and descendants prove his existence. His name, Suibhne, has been stated by some commentators to be Gaelic in origin, and by others to be Norse in origin. The name itself is Gaelic, meaning "pleasant"; although this name has been said to have sometimes been also used as a Gaelic form of the Old NorseOld Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
Sveinn, meaning "boy", "servant".
Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne
The Leabhar Chlainne SuibhneLeabhar Clainne Suibhne
Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne is the title of a 16th century Donegal manuscript written in Irish. While there is a substantial amount of religious material, it is principally interesting for containing a historical tract concerning the Clan Suibhne. It is now held in the library of the Royal Irish...
is a traditional account of Clan Sweeney
Clan Sweeney
Clan Sweeney is an Irish clan of Scottish origin. The clan did not permanently settle in Ireland before the beginning of the 14th century, when they became Gallowglass soldiers for the O'Donnell dynasty of Tyrconnell...
. It was written in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, starting in about 1513. The Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne states that Suibhne was the son of Donnsléibhe, son of Aodh Aluinn, son of Anradhán. The account claims that Anradhan was the younger son of Aodh Athlamhan. When his brother succeeded their father, the two brothers quarrelled with each other, and Anradhán sailed to Scotland. There he conquered half of the country before making peace with the King of Scots, by marrying his daughter. Suibhne is credited within the account to have built Castle Sween
Castle Sween
Castle Sween is located on the eastern shore of Loch Sween, in Knapdale, on the west coast of Argyll, Scotland. Castle Sween is thought to be one of the earliest stone castles built in Scotland, having been built sometime in the late twelfth century...
. His son is named as Maolmhuire an Sparáin ('Maolmhuire of the Purse').
Sellar noted that Suibhne's supposed ancestor in the Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne, Aodh Athlamhan, appears in contemporary (and independent) records, such as the Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
. Aodh Athlamhan was King of Aileach, and succeeded his father Flaithbhertach. The Annals of Ulster record that Aodh Athlamhan's died in the year 1033. However, Suibhne's supposed ancestors Anrothan, Aodh Alainn and Donnsleibhe, do not appear in any contemporary sources. Sellar noted that Anradhán's supposed elder brother, Domhnall an tOgdhamh ('Domhnall the Young Ox'), is an ancestor of the O'Neill
O'Neill dynasty
The O'Neill dynasty is a group of families that have held prominent positions and titles throughout European history. The O'Neills take their name from Niall Glúndub, an early 10th century High King of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain...
s. According to W.D.H. Sellar, there is no reason to doubt the Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne
Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk
Sir Rupert Iain Kay Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 11th Baronet, CVO, QC was a British officer of arms and genealogist. He used various forms of his name: His columns for Books and Bookmen wete signed Iain Moncreiffe; Royal Highness is by Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Bt.; Simple Heraldry is by...
proposed that Anradhán married a daughter of either a King of Argyll, or a sub-King of Cowal, rather than a King of Scots.
Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells
Suibhne has been identified with the "Swineruo" (Gaelic: Suibhne Ruadh, meaning 'Suibhne the Red') who appears in the 17th century traditional account of Clan CampbellClan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
known as Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells. This account is thought to be based on an account by the 17th century Clan Campbell historian Neil MacEwan. In the late 18th century, a similar version of this account was compiled, which brought the history down to its present date; this account is known as Manuscript B.
The Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells states that the Campbell ancestor "Coline Campbell, bynamed Maol Maith" had a legitimate son, and two natural sons. One of the natural sons, Iver, was borne by the daughter of Swineruo. The account describes Swineruo as the owner of Castle Sween, and as Thane of Knapdale and Glassary. The account states that, Iver was the ancestor of the MacIver Campbells
Clan MacIver
Clan MacIver, also known as Clan Iver, is Scottish clan recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. The clan, however, does not have a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Because of this the clan can be considered an armigerous clan. The clan name of MacIver is of Gaelic origin, derived...
, who were numerous in Glassary and Craignish. Manuscript B of Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells states that, according to tradition, Swineruo took his daughter from Campbell, and married her to MacLachlan (the chief of Clan MacLachlan
Clan MacLachlan
Clan Maclachlan, also known as Clan Lachlan, is a Highland Scottish clan that historically centred on the lands of Strathlachlan on Loch Fyne, Argyll on the west coast of Scotland...
), and give him a portion of his lands in Glassary.
MS 1467
The MacEwen pedigree is indecipherable in places. Skene's transcription and translation are as follows.| Skene's transcription of the Gaelic | Skene's translation into English |
|---|---|
| Baltuir ic Eoin ic Eogain ic Gillaesp ........ ic Sabarain ic Duinsleibe ic Dedaalain renebarta buirrce ic Anradan .i. F. Baedeinae. | Walter son of John son of Ewen son of Gillespic ........ son of Savarin son of Dunsleve son of Dedalan called the clumsy, son of Henry, Lord Badenoch. |
According to Niall Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll
Niall Campbell, 10th Duke of Argyll
Niall Diarmid Campbell, 10th and 3rd Duke of Argyll was a Scottish peer and historian.-Background:Campbell was the son of Captain Lord Archibald Campbell, second son of George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll, and his wife Janey Sevilla Callander of Craigforth and Ardkinglas, daughter of James Henry...
, who wrote in the early 20th century, the manuscript shows that the MacEwens of Otter were 'MacSweens'—male-line descendants of Suibhne. Argyll considered that the name Skene took for Sabarain, who is listed as a son of Duinsleibe, was actually "Suibhneach", or Suibhne, son of Donnsleibhe. Argyll considered the manuscript showed that the chiefs of the MacEwens (who he thought, should have been known as MacSweens) were as follows (from Walter up to Suibhne): Baltuir, Eoin, Eoghan, Giollaesbuig, Iain, Dugal, Suibhne. In the late 20th century, Sellar noted that the pedigree shows that the MacEwens did not descend from Suibhne, and that they took their surname from chief Eoghan, son of Gillespie. Sellar stated that it seemed that Gillespie was a great-grandson of "Saibaran" (Skene's Sabarain), who was another one of Donnsleibhe's sons. Sellar noted that, according to Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne, Donnsleibhe had twelve sons.
Successors
Suibhne had two sons who appear in contemporary records. His son Dubhghall mac Suibhne is recorded as granting, and witnessing, several charters. He was seated at Skipness CastleSkipness Castle
Skipness Castle stands on the east side of the Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland near the village of Skipness.-History:The main structure of the castle was built in the early 13th century by the Clan MacSween with later fortifications and other additions made to the castle through the 13th, 14th and...
, in Kintyre
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
. Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne married the granddaughter of a King of Connacht, High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
: the Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
record that Beanmhidhe, daughter of Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, and wife of Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne, died in 1269. Beanmhidhe's grandfather, and Toirdelbach's father, was Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , often anglicised Rory O'Connor, reigned as King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and from 1166 to 1198 was the last High King before the Norman invasion of Ireland .Ruaidrí was one of over twenty sons of King...
, King of Connacht, High King of Ireland (d. 1198). The descendants of Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne founded the various branches of the Irish Clann Suibhne.
Places associated with Suibhne
Suibhne is said to have left his name to Loch Sween, and to have built Castle Sween (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Suibhne) which overlooks its shores in Knapdale. The castle is thought to date to the mid 12th century. It has been described as one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland. The original castle was a simple enclosure, and was abandoned by the MacSweens in the 13th century. The Castle underwent extensive remodelling while in the possession of the Stewart earls of MenteithEarl of Menteith
The Mormaer or Earl of Menteith was originally the ruler of the province of Menteith in the Middle Ages. The first mormaer is usually regarded as Gille Críst, simply because he is the earliest on record. The title was held in a continuous line from Gille Crist until Muireadhach IV , although the...
. In 1310, it was in the possession of Sir John Menteith
John de Menteith
Sir John de Menteith was a Scottish nobleman.He was born to Mary, Countess of Menteith and her husband Walter "Bailloch" Stewart, Earl of Menteith jure uxoris. He and his older brother, Alexander, Earl of Menteith, replaced their paternal Stewart surname in favour of Menteith, which earned him the...
, when the English king Edward II
Edward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
granted the ancestral MacSween lands to John MacSween and his brothers. The castle was finally destroyed in the mid 17th century.